Guillen not losing sleep over Bell comments

ATLANTA On some level, Heath Bell lost manager Ozzie Guillen's respect. Worse yet, he lost the respect of his teammates.

Before Tuesday's series opener at Turner Field, all parties had to deal with the aftermath of Bell's incendiary interview Monday on 560 WQAM. Bell on "The Dan Sileo Show" said it was hard to respect a guy that didn't tell the truth and went behind his back.

"I laughed," said Guillen, before Tuesday's game at Turner Field. "Comments like that, I don't lose sleep for that. Everybody has their own opinion. Everybody has a different way to look at stuff and I respect that. I make comments some people don't respect. That's why I have to respect everybody's opinions and comments.

"The thing that shocked me was if you say I'm not a good manager, I don't know how to handle a bullpen, I don't know how to treat players, I can buy that. When you say I'm not honest with players and I never tell the people in their face what I feel, uh, you have to put a lot of doubts on that one. That's the best thing and the worst thing I have in my life, not just baseball."

Monday and Tuesday, Guillen said he heard from several current and former players offering support. Brett Hayes and Justin Ruggiano did so via Twitter and texted Guillen as well. Bell reached out to his manager Monday night, but Guillen did not recognize the number and didn't pick up.

Bell would not comment about his interactions with teammates, but he did acknowledge having some work to do in the clubhouse. When it opened Tuesday afternoon, Bell and several other players sat at their respective lockers while audio of Guillen's weekly interview on "The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz" played over the sound system.

Consider it an act of solidarity among players siding with Guillen. A few moments later, Greg Dobbs asked media members to wait outside for a while.

"I've never looked at Ozzie the way [Bell] was saying," said Mark Buehrle, who played for Guillen with the White Sox as well. "Everybody's got their own opinion and he obviously thinks that for some reason. Half the time [Guillen] is too honest with people so that gets him in trouble."

During his interview with Le Batard and later in his pre-game media session, Guillen said he respected Bell as a player, but maybe not so much as a person. The reason? He doesn't like how Bell has taken aim at everybody from team trainers to coaches to "The Franchise" producers.

Bell readily admits he's underperformed. What he didn't agree with Tuesday was the notion his comments on the radio were critical of Guillen. He also added that his response about the team needing someone to lead it that everybody respected did not refer to the manager. Sileo's question was specifically about the type of manager the Marlins needed.

Bell said after Tuesday he was done talking until 2014. Asked if he meant 2013, Bell said no. He is guaranteed $18 million through 2014, and the free agent contract he signed last offseason also includes a $9 million vesting option for 2015.

Guillen expressed a desire to have Bell back in 2013 and Bell reiterated he wants to return.

"What he's upset about with me?" Guillen said. "I wonder why. I got people all over my tail to not pitch him. I have people in Miami calling me names every time he's on the mound, in Spanish and English. I keep sticking up for this kid."